BC-AP Sports Digest

By: The Associated Press

November 24, 2014Updated: November 24, 2014 at 3:00 pm

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TOP STORIES

FBN--ONE-HANDED GRABS

The astonishing touchdown catch by Odell Beckham Jr. that became Sunday's most talked-about play did more than boost his standing with the Giants. It highlighted the rewards of a routine becoming more popular with players — practicing the one-handed catch. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 7 p.m.

FBN--RAVENS-SAINTS

NEW ORLEANS — The Baltimore Ravens look to keep pace in the AFC North race night when they visit the Saints. New Orleans is trying to end a two-game skid and can remain in first place in the NFC South with a victory. By Brett Martel. UPCOMING, 750 words, photos. game starts 8:30 p.m.

FBN--JETS-BILLS

DETROIT — Buffalo "hosts" New York in a game rescheduled for Monday night and moved to Detroit after a snowstorm pummeled western New York. Fans are given free tickets to a game between teams at the bottom of the AFC East. By Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts 7 p.m.

MACAU — Chinese boxing fans are beginning to understand a sport once banned in the country. That wasn't the case last year when Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming made his pro debut and pro boxing debuted in this gambling enclave. Zou won on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri bout. By Boxing Writer Tim Dahlberg. UPCOMING: 850 words, photos by 4 p.m.

NEW/DEVELOPING

BBA--RED SOX-SANDOVAL

SAN FRANCISCO — Free-agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval and the Red Sox agree to a multiyear contract, the AP is told. Sandoval met with Boston last week. After winning his third World Series in five years with San Francisco, he indicated he wanted to retire with the Giants. By Baseball Writer Janie McCauley. SENT: 130 words, photos. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 6 p.m.

BBO--HALL OF FAME BALLOT

NEW YORK — Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz are among 17 newcomers on baseball's 2015 Hall of Fame ballot. Craig Biggio, who fell two votes short of the 75 percent needed in the 2014 balloting, tops 17 holdovers. Voting results will be announced Jan. 6. SENT: 400 wpords, photos.

BKN--CAVALIERS-JAMES

CLEVELAND — With the Cavaliers on a four-game losing streak and failing to live up to enormous expectations, LeBron James offers a critical analysis of his own game. "I stink," he says. "I'm not doing my job." By Tom Withers. SENT: 500 words, photos.

NEW YORK — U.S. swim stars are honored for the year's best performances at the annual Golden Goggles. But hanging over the event is the absence of the sport's biggest name, the suspended Michael Phelps. By Rachel Cohen. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 8 p.m.

OLY--USOC-NIKE

The U.S. Olympic Committee signs an extension to its sponsorship deal with Nike that will last through the Tokyo Games six years from now. No dollar figures are announced, but these contracts traditionally have been worth between $12 million and $15 million over four years. By National Writer Eddie Pells. SENT: 300 words.

COMMENTARY

ON FOOTBALL-BACKWARD STEPS

The Seahawks still might repeat as Super Bowl champions. And they could wind up facing the Broncos again. The 49ers might appear in their fourth straight NFC title game. Yet all of them, a few other NFL teams, clearly have taken a step back this season. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 6 p.m.

NFL

FBN--PATRIOT ROUTS

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots don't just beat top teams. They beat them up. Sunday's 34-9 win over the Detroit Lions was their third straight rout of a division leader. By Howard Ulman. UPCOMING: 700 words by 6 p.m.

FBN--SEAHAWKS-QUICK TURN

RENTON, Wash. — The first step for Seattle was clearing in-house issues about playing for each other and beating Arizona. Task accomplished. Now comes a chance to get back into the NFC West race with Thursday's game at San Francisco. By Tim Booth. UPCOMING: 600 words, 8 p.m.

FBN--DOLPHINS CONTENTION

DAVIE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins haven't been able to win a game decided in the final minutes, meaning they might need to sweep the rest of their schedule to earn a playoff berth. By Steven Wine. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 6 p.m.

Kentucky sure didn't do anything to jeopardize its No. 1 spot, romping over then-No. 5 Kansas during another perfect week. Wisconsin and Arizona are tied for No. 2 in the Top 25. Duke and North Carolina round out the top five. By Dave Skretta. SENT: 650 words, photos.

NEW YORK — In a matchup of Top 25 teams, No. 12 Villanova plays No. 14 VCU in the semifinals of the Legends Classic at the Barclays Center. Both teams are 3-0. Villanova, the reigning Big East champs, survived a scare last week against Bucknell. By Dan Gelston. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts 7 p.m.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

FBC--T25-IRON BOWL-ONE SECOND

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama players have agonized over the Iron Bowl's ending. The Auburn Tigers get giddy at replaying that memorable "one second" that turned their seasons. Another Iron Bowl is coming up. By John Zenor. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos by 4 p.m.

FBC--T25--OHIO ST-GAME TIME

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Year in and year out, it's the biggest game on Ohio State's schedule. Even though archrival Michigan has had a mediocre season, the Buckeyes realize what's riding on Saturday's showdown: winning streaks, rankings, national standing. By Rusty Miller. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos by 6 p.m.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Pat Quinn, a former NHL player, coach and executive, dies at 71. He coached the Fklyers, Kings, Canucks and Maple Leafs and guided Canada to the gold medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. SENT: 950 words, photos.

HKN--OBIT-TIKHONOV

MOSCOW — Viktor Tikhonov, the Soviet hockey coach whose teams won three Olympic gold medals but lost to the United States in the "Miracle on Ice" game in 1980, dies after a long illness. He was 84. SENT: 450 words, photos.

AUTO RACING

CAR--F1-HAMILTON'S VOW

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Lewis Hamilton promises to race even faster next year when he defends his Formula One title. Hamilton won the title for the second time by capturing the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. By Jerome Pugmire. SENT: 700 words, photos.